Virtual teams have become a growing trend in small businesses and corporations alike.

The reason for the rise in popularity of virtual teams is that they offer all of the benefits of traditional employees, plus significant cost savings.

With traditional, full-time employees, companies have to pay for 8-hour days (though employees rarely actually put in that much time working), benefits, office space and equipment, for every role that’s required. They must also recruit additional talent every time a new need arises.

Virtual teams offer the benefit of all-in-one services, on-demand, so companies only pay for what they really need. For less than the price of one full time employee, companies can get access to an entire team of experts, for whatever they may require – both at that time and going forward.

Beyond the added expertise and cost-savings that virtual teams offer, they are also good for the environment, as employees aren’t forced to commute to an office when the work can more quickly be completed at a home office. This also allows for a faster turnaround with projects.

When you evaluate the top-level benefits, it’s no wonder more and more companies are choosing to ‘go virtual’.

The trend of hiring virtual shows no signs of slowing down because simply put, it’s the best option.

“Virtual work has the potential to be similarly world changing. The virtualization of business is like outsourcing on steroids: not only is it highly efficient, but it is probably the most advanced and evolved economic system yet devised.”

After graduation, students should be elated to be done school, but the search for a new job can cause even more panic attacks than your last final. You may have finally received that coveted diploma, but the real test has only just begun.

If you’re a recent graduate looking for a new position, or a business owner looking for a new partner, these suggestions will make the hiring process a little easier.

1. Interviews are key.

For Business Owners: It doesn’t matter if you’ve found someone with the most impressive resume in the world, meeting someone for an interview is extremely important. Asking questions about past project, school involvement, and future aspirations with the company will help you understand their overall personality and work ethic. If they engage you in conversation and show a willingness to learn about the company – you know you’ve found a good candidate.

For Recent Graduates: Go on as many interviews as possible. Even if you’re not 100 per cent qualified for the position, going to multiple interviews will strengthen your comfort in tense situations. You may not land your first job interview, so it’s important to keep going. Engage in conversation with your interviewer, bring an extra copy of your resume (and portfolio pieces if necessary) and make sure they get to know you.

2. Lose any pretence of attitude.

For Business Owners: Remember: you still need to sell your business. You’re not the only company that’s hiring, and you won’t be doing anyone a favour if you make them feel as though they’d be lucky to work for you. The reason you’re hiring graduates is to add new talent, and you might end up losing them if you belittle their benefits to the company.

For Recent Graduates: Please remember that you are not the only person with a new diploma. You may have graduated top of your class and acquired some great references, but you’re still new, and there might be someone with more experience and a similar diploma sitting in the waiting room with you. You want to build a relationship, and a bad attitude won’t help with that.

3. Get over any procrastination tendencies, and fear of group work.

For Business Owners: Never procrastinate when it comes to hiring. Don’t hire someone when you need him or her to start immediately. It’s better to hire someone during a slow period, so you have time to train them and introduce them to the company. When you are conducting interviews, bring someone else with you. They might pick up something you missed.

For Recent Graduates: If you haven’t already figured out how to beat procrastination, do it now, and quickly. Chances are you won’t stick around very long if you can’t keep on top of your assigned work. And remember how much you despise group work because of that one person who doesn’t pull their weight? Well, it’s time to shake that feeling and jump in headfirst. You’re in a new place with new people, and showing your boss that you’re eager to work as a team is a great way to start building relationships.

Being a small business can sometimes be very stressful, and the obstacle of finding the right staff has been known to throw a few business owners off balance. It’s difficult to find people with the right amount of experience to work for you, and can be a daunting task when hiring someone that needs to be trained properly.

Luckily internship opportunities have been expanding into the world of small businesses to help both the owner, and the intern. Here are four great reasons why hiring an intern is good for your business and good for them!

1. You have a chance to share and discuss your wisdom.

Business owners have the chance to pass on their wisdom to young interns willing to listen. If you have someone interning for you, chances are they are pretty interested in what your company is doing. Since your business is small, the intern will have a chance to learn directly from you, and you have the chance to discuss your business with someone who’s eager to learn from it.

2. You have a fresh mind to help exercise creative thinking and guerilla marketing.

Since interns don’t tend to stay on a long-term basis, businesses are being given the chance to work with a variety of young minds. Brainstorming with your intern about creative marketing techniques is good for both the business and the confidence of the intern, and so many fresh minds can come up with some pretty rad ideas.

3. You’re adding another member to the team.

Face it; even if your intern is only available for a couple hours every few days, it’s still an extra person on the team to help things run smoothly. As a university student who isn’t exactly fond of group projects, I still know the importance of teamwork. Interning for a small business and working with a smaller team is good practice, and a good way to get things done!

4. Small businesses will continue to have a welcoming attitude.

By hiring an intern, you’re not only providing help for you business and clients, but you’re also helping the intern! They need experience in the work world as much as you need a little extra help sometimes. Small businesses provide a really great atmosphere that is less intimidating for the intern, so you’re able to help them while they’re helping you.

Finally, a few wise words to businesses looking to hire their first intern: don’t abuse them! They may be working for free and grateful you’re giving them the chance to work with you, but that doesn’t give you the right to hand them tasks they aren’t equipped to complete or force them to stay up all night trying to get something done. It’s good to keep communication open, and make sure you’re always on the same page.

So if you’re a business owner looking for someone to add to the team, don’t overlook the thought of an intern. They might be just what you’re searching for!